Thank you so much for the outpouring of support on my last post. It seems like you guys are almost as excited as I am that I can run again, and that means the world to me.

Last night I laced up and headed out for my second run post-injury. Everything clicked immediately. I felt fantastic! I stuck to a comfortable pace right around 6:00/KM (I’m not even going to think about pushing the pace until I get my distances back up) and felt like I could keep going and going and… you get the idea.

I set out to run only slightly longer than Sunday’s 4K, but finished off at 7.1 (4.4mi). I could easily have kept on going, but Mom was expecting me for dinner. (Pancakes, anyone?)

Based on how I felt yesterday, I’m hoping to get a 10K in the books before the end of this weekend.

And speaking of 10K, I registered for the Sporting Life 10K yesterday.

Canada’s EASIEST and one of the fastest downhill 10k’s, it runs right down the middle of Canada’s most famous street—Yonge Street!

Whether you are a novice looking for the easiest course around to complete your first 10k or a seasoned veteran setting that new PB, this is the event for you! Sign up today and join 10,000+ fitness enthusiasts in the dash down Yonge Street.

I loved the energy and excitement of this event last year and I blew my own goal out of the water with a 49:10 finish. It’s a famously fast course and I am definitely looking for another PR. Any of my fellow Torontonians going to be there?

This morning I had my follow-up appointment at the Fracture Clinic. My shoulder has healed up very nicely since the accident on January 24th. The x-ray indicates almost complete healing and I have full mobility of my shoulder/arm. It will take a little bit of time to build my strength back up, but doc suspects I will be 100% in another few weeks. YAY!

And the even better news? I ran yesterday. I ran! I was extremely nervous as I stepped out the door yesterday afternoon (in a snow storm, no less), but I was pleasantly surprised. My shoulder didn’t bother me at all (didn’t even wear the evil blood-clot-causing sling). My legs felt like they could GO! GO! GO!, but I took my time and held an easy pace. By the end of 4.2K (2.5mi) my lungs felt like they were going to burst, so I headed home feeling satisfied.

I’m not sure what to expect as far as building my endurance back up, so I’m taking it a day at a time. It just feels so darn good to be able to run again. Hallelujah!

There’s still some really, really crappy stuff going on, but a little bit of good news can go a long way. And let me tell you, I really needed some good news right about now. Thanks for all of your comments and support. It helps having people behind me, even virtually.

It was four weeks ago today on that fateful January day when I decided to go cross-country skiing. I hadn’t even considered the possibility of getting injured.

For two weeks, I was almost completely laid up.

In the third week I learned that I had developed a blood clot in my arm as a result of the immobilization.

In the past four weeks I have been to the urgent care clinic three times, my family doctor once, the hospital four times, the blood clinic twice and the clinic for my blood thinner injections eight times (my stomach is covered in bruises). Over the next couple of weeks, I still have countless appointments including the fracture clinic about my shoulder on Monday (he will probably suggest that I start physio – more appointments!), the thrombosis clinic Thursday and more blood tests. I hope to be finished with the injections this weekend. My date book can’t keep up!

Through all of this, my husband has been far, far away on a business trip that was extended from four weeks to seven.

The good news is:

• Hubby comes home two weeks from today
• I feel confident that I can start running again

Unfortunately, there has been some significant bad news around here this week (not health related). It is not something I am prepared to discuss here (yet), but if I am MIA, you’ll know why. Sometimes I feel like running away from everything and taking a leave of absence from ‘life’, but other times I think I should just keep moving forward and distract myself however I can.

Maybe getting out for a run will help clear my head…

I’m getting sick. I just have not been feeling good for the past couple days (lack of appetite, headache) and today my throat started to hurt. I have been around a lot of sick people (not to mention all the time spent in the hospital), so I won’t be too surprised if I picked something up. Hopefully it won’t amount to much.

Not much else to report here – I’ve been getting my shots and taking my meds. I have another blood test (and an appointment with my family doctor) tomorrow, so I am hoping for good news.

I planned to hit the gym tonight, but some family stuff came up after work and now I’m curled up in a blanket on the couch with a bowl of soup and I’m not going anywhere. I’ll try again tomorrow.

My tentative plan is to try a light run this weekend, which will be four weeks from the accident. My shoulder has been feeling really good and I think (hope) I’m ready.

Thank you for all of your comments on my last post with your advice, encouragement and virtual hugs. It’s been a bumpy ride and your support has been priceless. I have spent more time in the hospital over the past few weeks than I have in my entire life!

Friday

• After spending all day at the hospital, I stayed home to unwind for the evening with Nights in Rodanthe.

Saturday

• I woke up feeling pretty bummed that I would be spending Valentine’s Day without hubby for the first time in 11 years.

• Took another day off exercise after getting the blood clot news on Friday.

• My Mom and sister came over to cheer me up in the afternoon.

• Went for my next anticoagulant injection.

• Received a beautiful flower arrangement from hubby.

• Spent the evening with my best friend who ditched her hubby so I wouldn’t be alone. How’s that for a good friend? Thanks Sarah!

Sunday

• Went to the gym for some bike, treadmill and stepmill. Felt good to exercise.

• Another injection.

• Dinner at Mom & Dad’s.

Monday

• Family Day in Ontario – holiday!

• Woke up early to go to the hospital for my blood test.

• Spent four hours (!!!) waiting for the results (thankfully, I brought a book): levels have not changed. My liver is metabolizing the drug too quickly (common in young people). Dose has been doubled.

• Another injection – really starting to feel like a pin cushion now.

• Dinner with my best friend and my sister-in-law (who are sisters) and their families.

Misc.

• Shoulder is doing great. Have not worn the sling since Thursday. I might try a light run next weekend…

• Hubby comes home in < 3 weeks!

• This week is going to be hectic: injections every day, blood work on Thursday, Thrombosis clinic on Thursday, have to squeeze in an appointment with my family doctor, hoping to hit the gym a few times. Not to mention work!

***

Hope you all had a great weekend!